A Riddle
By Majid Naficy
For International Workers’ Day
I am not a piece of fruit, rotting
Or a commodity in decay.
I am the product of my own labor.
I am not an ant marching in single file
Or a spider webbing in solitude.
I am pregnant with my commonwealth.
And yet, in the temples of money
I kneel at my inverted idol
And in the markets of exchange
I carry a basket of my warm body
Cut in different shapes.
Now, can you tell me who I am
And what keeps me alive or rather dead?
This is a riddle, simple and stubborn
At a winter fire place.
Is labor the curse of my creator*
Or the story of my creation?
January 4, 1986
*- Genesis 3:17-19
چيستان
مجید نفیسی
برای روز جهانی كارگر
ميوه نيستم كه بگندم
يا كالا كه بپوسم.
من، محصولِ كارِ خويشتنم.
مورچه نيستم كه به صف روم
يا كاربافك كه تنها تَنم.
من, آبستنِ جمعِ خويشتنم.
با اين همه, در محرابهای پول
بر بتِ وارونهی خويش نماز ميگزارم
و در بازارهای كالا به زنبيل ميكشم
از پارههای تنِ گرمِ خود.
حالا بگو كه كيستم
زنده يا مرده به چيستم؟
اين چيستانيست ساده و سمج
از پايی كرسيِ شبِ يلدا.
آيا كار، نفرينِ آفرينندهی من است*
يا داستانِ آفرينشم؟
چهارم ژانويه هزارونهصدوهشتادوشش
* تورات، سِفر پيدايش 3:17-19
from Masour Farhang:
Dear Majid,
Thank you for sharing "چیستان" I enjoyed reading it in both languages.
The link below is my latest self therapeutic opinion piece.
Best,
Mansour
ویروس کرونا و بنبست دائی جان ناپلئونیسم منصور فرهنگ
http://www.iran-emrooz.net/index.php/politic/more/83891/
from Ezat Mossallanejad:
Dear Dr. Naficy; it is just marvelous. Thank you for all your endeavours.
With boundless affection.
from Mohsen:
The poem is deep, deep, deep and beautiful. The painting shows Oedipus answering the riddle of the monster, the Sphinx in order to enter the city of Thebes.
from Nayereh:
Dear Majid, I really liked this poem, very deep and rich symbolism. I tried to post a comment on that page, but I could not submit it.
Anyway, Happy May Day and I trust you are staying safe.